Listen to the first episode from Stuff’s major new podcast, The Commune. It's a 12-part investigation into the notorious free-love commune, Centrepoint. There are crimes. But this isn’t a whodunnit. It’s a whydunnit. Subscribe at www.stuff.co.nz/thecommune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A groundbreaking new podcast series on the most controversial murders in New Zealand history - the killing of five members of the Bain family in 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's June 20, 1994. Police are called to a rundown home in Dunedin, New Zealand. They're not sure what to expect after a panicked phone call. But inside were five dead bodies, a chaotic scene and and several clues pointing to the killer. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
By any standard, this family was unusual, even bizarre. Mother Margaret Bain's complicated spiritual life and beliefs meant the family was constantly encouraged to put Satan behind them. She practised self hypnosis, meditation and channelling. Their life in Papua New Guinea helped to concentrate the family's oddness. How did it influence the slaughter? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the outside, the Bain family seemed to have settled into a new life in Dunedin. Eldest son David was on a new path, while sister Laniet appeared to have given up prostitution and Arawa was thriving as a budding teacher. But in the six months before the shootings, cracks began to emerge. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The shootings appalled the country and deeply shocked the community and wider Bain family. Yet sole survivor David Bain's unusual reaction surprised many. Loyalties were tested. Suspicions were raised. And then an arrest is made. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Motive has always been the most puzzling aspect of the Bain shootings. Neither Robin nor David seemed like mass killers. But both had reasons to kill. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Although police initially regarded the shootings as a murder/suicide, evidence began to mount against David Bain. His fingerprints were on the rifle, he had blood on his T-shirt, a lens from glasses in his bedroom were found in his dead brother's room and he had injuries that were consistent with a fight. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Could Robin have murdered his children and then taken his own life? Robin had blood and bruising on his hands. His foot size was more likely to fit bloody footprints in the house. Was a mysterious note left on the family computer Robin's final words? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If Robin murdered his wife and children, his final task would be to shoot himself. But how likely is it that a right-handed man would shoot himself in the left temple? Is it even possible? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Despite giving evidence in court only once, David Bain has said a lot about the shootings in various contexts. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence but the details of his story have changed. How plausible is it? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The equation is simple: It had to be either Robin or David. Now it's time to make a decision. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In 2012 Canadian judge Justice Binnie said David Bain was innocent on the balance of probabilities. Why? Hear what Binnie says and what Martin van Beynen makes of his arguments. And why does Binnie compare van Beynen to Inspector Javert, a fictitious fanatical police inspector? Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple Podcasts or at listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee each month… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Barbarella MaClure
You've not convinced me Robin didn't do it I believe he did David is innocent for so many more reasons you've not even covered
Rosi Cranwell
Interesting podcast, but the constant adds are so annoying and jarring. One or two clumps of adds would be far better than the random dropping them in every 5 minutes or so.
Dave Sykes
The investigation was completely bungled by the police from the start. Even in the 90's this could have been forensically solved if it had been handled correctly. In my opinion the father was a victim and David Bain has gotten away with murder. I don't know how anyone can think he's innocent. Innocent men don't lie and he lied a lot.
Tyler Sleep
love the podcast
Hanna Wilkinson
3rd possibility.. What if the mother killed them all and then herself, but David, worshipping his mother didn't want people to think she was evil so moved the gun and ammo to his Father's side to frame him - with the re-staging explaining the time gap 🤔 The only bit I didn't understand was his motive for killing his mother that he seemed abnormally close to.